Transition Guide | Key Dates | Security Tips | Frequently Asked Questions | FDIC Questions | Disclosure Booklet
Access German American State Bank's Transition Guide here!
Key Dates
Over the past few months, our six community banks—German American State Bank, Northwest Bank of Rockford, State Bank, Freeport, Lena State Bank, State Bank of Davis, and State Bank of Herscher—have come together to form one stronger organization. This next step allows us to streamline your experience, expand your tools and resources, and continue delivering the local service you know and trust.
As we complete the final phase of becoming a division of Foresight Bank, we want to ensure you’re fully prepared for the upcoming system maintenance weekend and how it affects your Digital Banking. This was outlined in the Transition Guide booklet primary account holders should have received in the mail. If you have not yet received your booklet, you can click here to review a digital copy.
Please review the important dates and steps below to ensure uninterrupted access to your accounts.
Key Dates to Know
* Indicates Action Item
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025
- Beginning at 4:00 pm CT, the following services will be unavailable:
- Digital Banking services, including transfers, mobile deposit, and bill pay.
- Debit cards will continue to work over maintenance weekend at default limits. Limited or periodic interruptions may occur. Please plan ahead and consider having other forms of payment ready.
- Telephone Banking - Inquiry mode only available
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2025
- All German American State Bank locations will be closed for maintenance.
- Digital Banking services, including transfers, mobile deposit, and bill pay will be unavailable and Telephone Banking will continue to be available in inquiry mode only through Monday, August 25, 2025 at 9:00 am CT.
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2025
- At 9:00 am CT, Telephone Banking and Digital Banking services including transfers, mobile deposit, and bill pay will be available again.
- On Monday morning (until noon), there may be issues with PIN-based debit card transactions due to system maintenance. When given the option of Debit or Credit Card at checkout, please run the transaction as credit if possible.
* Digital Banking App Updates - Our Digital Banking app will automatically update to reflect the new Foresight Bank look. NOTE: If you do not have automatic updates enabled, you will need to update the app manually.
* Your current account will transition to our new aligned products. Please review the Disclosure Booklet to understand your account terms.
What You Need to Do Before Friday, August 22 at 4:00 pm:
We’ve taken every precaution to make this a smooth transition. Still, it’s always a good idea to review your details and take note of anything important before system maintenance.
* Take a moment to check your account settings, scheduled transfers, and alerts. When you log in to Digital Banking on Monday, August 25, double-check that your settings and activity match what you saw before the maintenance weekend.
We're Here to Help
If you have any questions, please call our branch at 815-362-2310.
Security Tips
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found in our Transition Guide. Please use the table below to locate information within the Transition Guide.
| Topic | Location |
| Important Dates/Maintenance Weekend | Page 02 |
| Personal Banking Service Details | Page 05 |
| Personal Banking Product Details | Page 11 |
| Business Banking Service Details | Page 14 |
| Business Banking Product Details | Page 19 |
| New Personal & Business Account Disclosures | Disclosure Booklet |
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Questions
Will my FDIC insurance change as part of the consolidation?
Your accounts will continue to be FDIC insured. However, once our six banks; Northwest Bank of Rockford, German American State Bank, Lena State Bank, State Bank Freeport, State Bank of Davis, and State Bank of Herscher, consolidate into Foresight Bank on May 1, 2025, deposit balances held at multiple divisions will be combined for FDIC insurance purposes. However, the FDIC provides a 6-month grace period during which your coverage will remain unchanged—giving you time to review and adjust your accounts if needed. For time deposits, like CDs, with a maturity date outside the six month grace period, FDIC coverage will continue until six months after the maturity date.
Contact your banker for a personalized review to ensure your funds remain fully protected.
How long do I have before the balances are combined for FDIC insurance purposes?
The FDIC allows a grace period of six months from the date of consolidation, which is May 1, 2025. During that time, your deposits at each of the previously separate banks will continue to be insured separately. After that, your total balances across divisions will be combined for insurance purposes. For time deposits, like CDs, with a maturity date outside the six month grace period, FDIC coverage will continue until six months after the maturity date.
We encourage you to talk with your banker now to plan ahead and explore your options.
What is the standard FDIC insurance coverage?
The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category (such as individual, joint, trust, etc.).
If you’re unsure how this applies to your situation, reach out to your banker for assistance.
What should I do if I think my combined balances may exceed FDIC limits after May 1, 2025?
Our team is here to help. Contact your local branch or banker to review your accounts. We offer tailored solutions and strategies to help ensure your funds remain fully insured—even if your total balances exceed standard FDIC limits.
FDIC Insurance Coverage Notice
As of May 1, 2025, our six community banks officially consolidated under Foresight Bank. As a result of this consolidation, deposit accounts held at multiple divisions of Foresight Bank are now considered part of the same FDIC-insured institution.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides a six-month grace period—from May 1 through October 31, 2025—during which deposits that were separately insured under the original bank charters will continue to be insured separately. After this period, account balances across all divisions will be aggregated for insurance coverage and insured up to the standard limit of $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category. For time deposits, like CDs, with a maturity date outside the six month grace period, FDIC coverage will continue until six months after the maturity date.
If you have not yet reviewed your combined account balances, we encourage you to connect with your local banker. Our team is here to help you understand your coverage and explore available options to ensure your deposits remain fully protected.
For more information about FDIC insurance, visit www.fdic.gov or speak with your banker today.
Consolidation Update: What’s Next For You?
As of May 1, 2025, our fellow Foresight community banks, Northwest Bank of Rockford, State Bank, Lena State Bank, State Bank of Davis, and State Bank of Herscher, officially joined us as a division of Foresight Bank. This milestone strengthens our ability to serve you through enhanced efficiency, shared resources, and expanded tools—while keeping the local service and decision-making you’ve always trusted.
[December 2024] At German American State Bank, we’re always looking for ways to better serve you. As part of the Foresight Financial Group family of banks, which includes German American State Bank, State Bank Freeport, Lena State Bank, State Bank of Davis, Northwest Bank of Rockford, and State Bank of Herscher, we’re proud to offer the best of both worlds: the strength of a larger network combined with the local service and decision-making that you value. Over the past few years, we’ve worked as a group to enhance services and improve efficiency, always with you—and the well-being of our communities—in mind.
Now, as a natural next step, we’re bringing our six community banks together under a single charter. This is not a merger or buyout; it’s an internal change to structure that strengthens our organization and enhances what we can offer you. This transition will not change the way you bank in any negative way. Instead, it opens the door to even better solutions, service, and convenience. We’re becoming the largest locally headquartered and managed banks in the region, allowing us to streamline operations and provide an improved banking experience with valuable benefits we can pass on to you.
What You Can Continue to Count On:
- You’ll still be banking with the same familiar faces and working with the trusted team you know and trust.
- We’ll still be German American State Bank, but operate as a Division of Foresight Bank, so as of January 1, 2025 you’ll begin to see Foresight Bank on notices, statements, and other documents. See included insert for additional information on this.
- Our commitment to community banking values remains unchanged – decisions will continue to be made by local leaders who understand our market.
What You Can Look Forward To:
- Enhanced Convenience: Soon, you’ll have seamless access to in-person services at any of our 14 locations across Stephenson, Winnebago, and Kankakee counties, saving you time and expanding your banking options.
- Increased Lending Power: Our expanded lending limits will provide you with greater support for personal, commercial, and agricultural goals, with faster access to approvals and funds when you need them.
- Continued Local Decisions: We’ll remain locally chartered, so you can count on decisions being made by people who know our communities and can respond quickly and effectively to your needs.
- New Offerings: You’ll enjoy access to a broader range of products, services, and technology designed to meet your evolving financial needs and provide you with cost-effective solutions.
We’ve included answers to some frequently asked questions to help clarify what this transition means for you. We’ll continue to keep you informed and are always here to address any questions or needs you may have along the way.
Thank you for being a valued part of our banking family. We’re excited about these enhancements and look forward to meeting your personal and business banking needs with the same dedication and care you’ve always trusted.